Ethereum Foundation refocuses to security over speed – sets strict 128-bit rule for 2026
The Ethereum Foundation is shifting focus from zkEVM speed to soundness, setting a non-negotiable 128-bit security target by late 2026.Summary
After achieving real-time proving targets for zkEVMs, the Ethereum Foundation (EF) is pivoting its focus from speed to soundness, citing that many current STARK-based systems rely on mathematical conjectures that have recently been broken, compromising effective security.
The EF has established a strict roadmap emphasizing "provable security" over security based on unproven assumptions. Key milestones include plugging all zkEVM proof systems into the EF's "soundcalc" tool by February 2026 for standardized security measurement, achieving at least 100-bit provable security by May 2026, and meeting the full bar of 128-bit provable security with proofs under 300 kilobytes by the end of 2026.
To meet these stringent security and size requirements, the EF points to technical advancements like the WHIR Reed-Solomon proximity test and techniques like JaggedPCS. The ultimate goal is to ensure zkEVMs can serve as credible L1 settlement layers by having proofs that are both fast enough to verify without breaking liveness and formally secure at a level comparable to mainstream cryptographic standards.
(Source：CryptoSlate)